Andy, my 20 year old collapsed at work last Thursday (haven't figured out why yet). He fell backwards and broke his skull (temporal fracture), went into convulsions and was bleeding from his right ear. He seemed to recover quickly with only some minor drainage and headaches. The Neurologist at the first hospital warned us about fever which could turn into meningitis. Well Monday afternoon he came down with a fever so off to emergency we went. After yet another ct scan they recommended a spinal tap to check for infection. They weren't equipped to do one here and wanted to transfer him to University Hospitals in Iowa City.
That whole thing took about 7 1/2 hours. Er was busy and no ambulances available for a hour and a half ride until 11:30 pm. We got to UIHC and did some tests and evaluations and got admitted at around 4:30 am. A spinal tap showed no infection which is good but he has spinal fluid leaking from a crack or break in his skull into his inner ear and sinus cavity. They did a spinal tap drain to keep the fluid low enough in his skull that it doesn't continue to leak through the crack. Leaking spinal fluid is easy to infect and causes spinal meningitis which is pretty dangerous stuff. If all goes well the spinal drain will work and he can be home in 5 days. If not, he may need surgery to repair the broken bones which are causing the leak. Please keep us in your prayers. I've Boy, are we tired (and hungry) I better go for now.
Thanks, Mike
That whole thing took about 7 1/2 hours. Er was busy and no ambulances available for a hour and a half ride until 11:30 pm. We got to UIHC and did some tests and evaluations and got admitted at around 4:30 am. A spinal tap showed no infection which is good but he has spinal fluid leaking from a crack or break in his skull into his inner ear and sinus cavity. They did a spinal tap drain to keep the fluid low enough in his skull that it doesn't continue to leak through the crack. Leaking spinal fluid is easy to infect and causes spinal meningitis which is pretty dangerous stuff. If all goes well the spinal drain will work and he can be home in 5 days. If not, he may need surgery to repair the broken bones which are causing the leak. Please keep us in your prayers. I've Boy, are we tired (and hungry) I better go for now.
Thanks, Mike
